2024 Information Summary
CoastSWaP is a network of coastal land managers and their communities, with members along the Western Australian coast from Mandurah to Walpole. CoastSWaP promotes the effective management of our unique and dynamic coastal environment in the South West and Peel regions of Western Australia.
We are recognising the delicate balance between community needs, recreation and ecological protection in a changing climate. Our primary objective is to foster community-driven strategic and collaborative coastal management, through our members and implemented from the grass-roots level.
A Brief History
In 1991 a Coastal Management Group was formed by Cr John Cooper from the Shire of Busselton. The group had membership from Mandurah through to Esperance and met regularly to discuss issues relating to coastal protection. This included the fact that, despite having 33% of Australia’s coastline, WA was not receiving any Commonwealth or State funding for coastal management.
Given the large distances, in 1995 the group decided to divide into two separate entities: - (i) the South Coast Coastal Group and (ii) the South West and Peel Coastal Management Group (CoastSWaP). After four years at the helm Cr. Cooper retired and was replaced by Cr Margaret Smith as the Chair of CoastSWaP.
A More Recent Past
30 Years later, CoastSWaP now has a diverse membership of community groups within coastal shires from Mandurah to Walpole, as well as on going interaction with the local and state government authorities. CoastSWaP deals with a range of coastal management issues like: - coastal protection and planning, raising public awareness, supporting volunteer groups, exchanging information and lobbying for resources.
CoastSWaP’s actions over the past few years have been restricted, largely due to COVID pandemic and unsuccessful funding applications. However, CoastSWaP have still achieved a variety of different outcomes since 2019, including:
● Founding Member of the recently formed WA Coastal and Marine Community Network. Collaboration on Statewide Forum in 2022.
● 23 Coastal Stakeholder Forums held by CoastSWaP in the Peel–Harvey, Leschenault, Geographe Capes and Warren sub-regions, since 2014;
● Member Survey and database review 2022-2023;
● Trial of Coastal Summer Activities Educational Program in SW in 2021-2022;
● Advocating for reinstating NRM Coastal and Marine Facilitators (ongoing);
● Involvement in consultation for Capel to Leschenault CHRMAP processes.
● Host stall and run coastal walk, in partnership with Tangaroa Blue, Dolphin Discovery Centre and Geographe Community Landcare Nursery at the Bunbury Dolphin Festival 2019-2022;
● Run Activity at Dunsborough Primary School Bay OK Program 2019-2022;
● Participation in the 2019 State NRM and Coastal Conference;.
● Developed and published 16 Coastal Management Case Studies;
● Participation in the 2017 State NRM and Coastal Conference including committee member
attendance and presentation of papers;
● Assisted the South West Catchment Council with the development of the South West NRM Region Coastal Action Plan: http://www.swnrmstrategy.org.au/wp- content/uploads/2015/03/SCC2015_001_CAP_001_V6-Final-March-2016.pdf
● Maintenance of the CoastSWaP website: www.coastswap.org.au ;
Currently:
● Continuing our Core Activities - hosting coastal focused Roundtable Forums in the South West and Peel regions of WA;
● Reviewing and developing a new Strategic Plan, 2024-2030 that outlines future plans, including; applying for funding support for core activities through DPLH and advocating for support from all levels of government to commit to ongoing support of local coastal community groups and networks in the South West and Peel regions of Western Australia.
● Strategic direction will be guided by consultation with our members; Key to this is the considerations to First Nations groups, coastal land managers and coastal groups and communities more broadly;
● Redeveloping Website (including updated Case Studies).
In addition to our planned coastal forums and case studies CoastSWaP will be undertaking core business activities such as:
● Administration.
● Membership drive.
● Data base management; and archiving.
● Networking and capacity building
● Advocacy
CoastSWaP is committed to continuing our primary activity of running regional and sub-regional Coastal Forums / Roundtables in the Peel and SW regions. It is anticipated that these activities will be funded from grants and the Shire contributions and will be held within the relevant Shire boundaries. Jo Ludbrook continues as the role with CoastSWaP under the title of Executive Officer.
Should you have any questions or queries regarding CoastSWaP, please do not hesitate to contact our secretary Karl Ilich coastswap@gmail.com or our Executive Officer Jo Ludbrook joanneludbrook@yahoo.com.au.